Capturing the enthesitis related arthritis contemporary profile of Caucasian patients in the era of biologics.

To describe the profile of Enthesitis Related Arthritis' (ERA) patients, in the era of biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs). This retrospective cohort study included patients with ERA monitored on a 3-month schedule for at least 1 year. Their metric assessment included the disease status and damage by applying the contemporary tools clinical-Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (c-JADAS), Juvenile Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Index (JSpADA), clinical remission (CR) on/off medication and Juvenile Arthritis Damage Index (JADI). 43 patients (males 26) were enrolled, with a mean disease onset of 10.75 years. Median lag time from diagnosis to bDMARDs was 8.5 months. Patients with sacroiliitis received earlier bDMARDs (hazard ratio, HR 3.26). 36/43 patients achieved CR on medication (median time 11 months), which was correlated with compliance (HR: 3.62). The percentage of CR in patients with or without sacroiliitis was 35% and 63% respectively (p = 0.02). Twenty patients (47%) experienced a flare following CR (75%). The median flare-free survival following CR on/off medication was 42 and 34 months, respectively. At the last evaluation, both median baseline cJADAS and JSpADA dropped to 0, 13/43 patients had a persistent disease activity, while 17/43 and 13/43 patients were in CR on/off medication, respectively. The median patient percentage of CR was 54% and no patient had a JADI > 0. Increased lag time to bDMARDs was associated with increased CR (Odds ratio: 1.48). Early administration of bDMARDs and compliance improved long-term outcome of ERA. Sacroiliitis was a negative prognostic factor with an increased need for bDMARDs and diminished rates of CR.

Interferon Inhibition in SLE: From Bench to Bedside.

Despite advances in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), it remains a chronic disease with frequent flares, requiring constant medical care, laboratory exams, hospitalisations, and the use of immunosuppressive drugs and corticosteroids, increasing the morbidity and mortality of these patients. The past decade of research has brought to light multiple observations on the role of interferons (IFNs) in the pathogenesis of SLE, which paved the way for the development of potential novel therapies targeting the interferon pathway. Following two phase III trials, anifrolumab, a monoclonal antibody which binds to the type I IFN receptor, blocking the activity of type I IFNs, was approved for active SLE. This review summarises the latest research on the role and mechanisms of type I IFNs in SLE and the development and advances on new therapeutic drugs based on IFN inhibition for SLE.

Focus on Filgotinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Trial-Based Review.

Janus kinases (JAK)/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) pathway is involved in pathophysiologic cascade of a notable number of rheumatic diseases. The development of JAK inhibitors has expanded treatment choices in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with a sustained class-effect efficacy. Filgotinib is a novel selective inhibitor of JAK1 isoform licensed for use in RA and ulcerative colitis. In this review we aim to present an analysis of filgotinib's efficacy and drug-specific safety warnings. Patients with RA with or without concomitant conventional synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (csDMARDs) (naïve or experienced) and those who have failed biologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs) were examined in randomised clinical trials. Filgotinib was also tested against placebo, methotrexate, or adalimumab. Long-term extension trials provide insights for up to four years of continuous filgotinib administration. Beneficial effects are depicted in both disease activity parameters and quality of life indexes in moderate or severe RA with a longitudinal efficacy. In head-to-head comparison with adalimumab, filgotinib 200 mg was non-inferior. Adverse effects alerts are marked by the elevated risk of infectious adverse effects with the exception of herpes zoster infection, which has a low incidence.

Child Morbidity and Disease Burden in Refugee Camps in Mainland Greece.

The crisis conflicts in Syria have forced a lot of people to relocate and live in mainland Greece, where they are hosted in refugee camps. In the present study, our aim was to assess child morbidity and overall disease burden in two camps in northern Greece during a six-month winter period. A primary health care office was founded in each camp. Refugees of all ages with health problems were examined daily by specialty doctors. Cases were classified into two categories: Infectious or non-infectious. In total, 2631 patients were examined during this period (out of the 3760 refugees hosted). Of these patients, 9.8% were infants, 12.7% were toddlers, and 13.4% were children. Most of the visits for children aged less than 12 years old were due to infectious diseases (80.8%). The most common sites of communicable diseases among children were the respiratory tract (66.8%), the skin (23.2%), and the urinary (3.2%) and gastrointestinal tracts (6.2%). Non-communicable diseases were mostly due to gastrointestinal (20.2%), respiratory (18.2%), surgical (13.1%), and allergic (10.3%) disorders. Infants, toddlers, and children suffered more frequently from respiratory infections, while in adolescents and adults, non-infectious diseases were more common. Toddlers and children were more likely to fall ill in comparison to infants. Conclusions: During the winter period, infectious diseases, especially of the respiratory tract, are the main reason for care seeking among refugees in Greek camps, with toddlers suffering more than other age groups. The overall mortality and referral percentage were low, indicating that adequate primary care is provided in this newly established refugee hosting model.